Device for skimming oil from water

Abstract

A dual drum skimmer is provided for the removal and recovery of oil floating on water. The skimmer includes two oil pick-up drums 11 and 12 arranged along a common axis which pick up oil and deposit it in a collection trough 16. Oil deposited in the collection trough 16 is directed to a reservoir trough 22 arranged on the opposite side of the drums 11 and 12 from the collection trough 16. The drums are formed as hollow, closed cylinders and, together with the reservoir trough 22, provide the total buoyancy necessary to float the skimmer. The skimmer is particularly effective in shallow and in trash laden water and can operate in water depths of as little as three inches.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for removing oil from the surface of water comprising: a frame having a front, a back, and two sides;   drum means mounted on said frame for rotation about an axis, said axis being parallel to the front of said frame;   a collection trough forming the front of said frame,   a reservoir trough spaced apart from the drum and forming the back of said frame, said drum means and said reservoir trough being proportioned and arranged to provide all of the buoyancy necessary to float said device on water in an oil-removing attitude;   blade means bearing against said drum means and arranged to direct oil from said drum means into said collection trough;   motive means arranged to drive said drum means in a direction whereby oil floating on water is drawn backwardly beneath the drum means;   and channel means extending between said collection trough and said reservoir trough.   
     
     
       2. A device for removing oil from the surface of water comprising: a frame;   drum means mounted on said frame for rotation about an axis;   a collection trough and a reservoir trough forming a part of said frame;   said drum means and said reservoir trough proportioned and arranged to provide all of the buoyancy necessary to float said device on water in an oil-removing attitude;   blade means bearing against said drum means and arranged to direct oil from said drum means into said collection trough;   motive means arranged to drive said drum means in a direction whereby oil floating on water is drawn onto said drum means;   and channel means extending between said collection trough and said reservoir trough.